Compliance Inspection and Attendance at the Site Stakeholder Group

Site: Winfrith

IR number: 15-102

Date: November 2015

LC numbers: 7, 22, 32, 33, 34

Executive summary

Purpose of intervention

This report covers an inspection of Magnox Ltd’s Winfrith nuclear licensed site between 2nd and 4th November 2015. This inspection was undertaken as part of a programme of planned interventions as outlined in the IIS plan for 2015/16.

Interventions Carried Out by ONR

During this intervention, I carried out compliance inspections against the following licence conditions:

Whilst on site I held meetings with the licensee to discuss a number of routine matters and attended the Winfrith Site Stakeholder meeting held at The Winfrith Newburgh Village Hall.

My inspections were carried out against the requirements of ONR's published inspection guidance associated with the above Licence Conditions. The inspection comprised office-based examination of procedures and records, interviews with staff and work place inspections.

Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate

This intervention did not include an inspection of a safety system.

Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made

In relation to Licence Condition 7, I have found that the licensee has adequate arrangements for the notification, recording, investigation and reporting of incidents that may occur at Winfrith. I consider that the licensee has implemented its arrangements. However I have identified improvements that the licensee should make to ensure that improvement actions are closed out timely. The licensee has accepted these findings.

In relation to Licence Condition 22, I consider that the licensee has made adequate arrangements for the Modification or Experiment on Existing Plant. Whilst I found that the licensee’s staff are knowledgeable about its safety case process, I found some confusion between the arrangements and staff knowledge about modification implementation. This was judged not to have a significant impact on nuclear safety.

In relation to Licence Condition 32, I consider that the licensee has suitable arrangements for the management of radioactive waste and is correctly implementing those arrangements. I have identified some areas for improvement with waste storage and segregation, the licensee has agreed to make some improvements.

In relation to Licence Condition 33 I judge that the licensee’s arrangements to respond to a Direction are only just adequate. I have identified a lack of understanding, on the part of the licensee, of the significance of the use of licence condition primary powers by ONR. The licensee has undertaken to make improvements to its arrangements and to raise staff awareness. I have raised an ONR issue to monitor the licensee’s improvement actions.

In relation to Licence Condition 34 I have found that the licensee has adequate arrangements for the storage of radioactive waste and is implementing these arrangements. I am satisfied that licensee is monitoring the condition of stored wastes to ensure that any leak or escape of radioactivity cannot occur without being detected.

The intervention was performed in line with ONR’s guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.